- Immediate Payment Requests: Legitimate sweepstakes such as Publishers Clearing House will not ask you to wire money to collect your prize. The IRS will not demand immediate payment via a wire transfer, or ask for a credit or debit card number over the phone.
- Information Requests: You won't have to give out your bank account number, driver's license number, or other personal information to collect legitimate winnings.
- Law Enforcement Threats: The IRS will not threaten to have you arrested for not paying your taxes.
- Secrecy: Be wary if someone suggests that you not tell your bank about a payment, or that you a separate account at a different bank to handle the transaction.
- Talk to someone: Before you give up your money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story, do an online search, consult an expert — or just tell a friend.
- If you're unsure about a financial request: Contact your bank or local law enforcement for more information.
We have many obligations to our family, friends, and fellow citizens, and one of those obligations is to be good stewards of technology and the necessary levels of security. As your bank, we'll continue to prioritize giving you access to information and tools that can help keep you and your contact lists safe from fraudsters.
